SPARE THAT HOSE

SPARE THAT HOSE

This issue's "self-help" article is the result of a meeting we conducted with a group of Crane's senior technicians. We asked them to comment upon those areas of sanitation and housekeeping they feel most often lead to chronic pest problems. Their unanimous first-place culprit was: water (as in, "hose it down!").

There is a place for using high-pressure hoses in the food-preparation areas of commercial/institutional kitchens. But it's no substitute for careful mopping or sweeping. The use of running water on the floors often carries all sorts of food debris, not to drains, but underneath hard-to-reach appliances, coving, etc. Water literally sweeps up the dirt and grime and, over time, deposits it relatively high up on the legs or stands of fixtures-a perfect haven for cockroaches and flies.

Furthermore, depending upon the frequency, quantity and water pressure used, grouting between tiles can become eroded and, in some instances, literally blasted out of existence. If you are going to hose down mats, try to do it outside of the facility. When it is necessary to water down, check carefully afterward, mopping out or otherwise cleaning where the water carried debris with it to other areas in the kitchen.

If you have any questions about your own operation, ask your pest control technician to point out areas where pest activity has been noted. Sometimes showing the clean-up personnel these spots is useful in making the point. Too much water creates insect harborages out of sight.

For more information you can contact us at 1(800) 592-7777 or

You may also email us at CraneInfo@CranePestControl.com

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